An abandoned fawn in the forest: a strong image. Many artists were inspired through this subject and its symbolic power. German expressionist Franz Marc (1880-1916).painted several does and fawns nestled up between the trees and the soft forest soil. For him this innocent and immaculate animal had nothing in common with the violent human condition. In his paintings the doe belongs thus to nature and seems to merge into the wood. The history of the image of the abandoned fawn can not be told without mentioning "Bambi". The story of Disney's famous cartoon from 1942 is heavy and heartbreaking, but the film and his cute characters lead to a kitschy sight on nature.

With "Trail" the artist JE Baker now presents an unadorned view on the lost fawn and its way through the forest:

"Trail" is an installation of sculpture and sound that questions the place we call "safe." It illustrates the story of a dead doe, killed for her heart by the Huntsman and his hounds, and the fawn she left hidden in the forest. The fawn was hidden to keep her safe, but how long should she stay? How long would she really stay safe? The forest is the fawn's home, but she is haunted by what she can't see: A coyote hiding in the bush? Her mother's ghost? Perhaps the huntsman returning to kill her, too?

This site specific, multi-sensory installation allows the audience to enter the space that the fawn inhabits, a forest of contemplation that is at once peaceful and spooky. The audience is left to ponder what the doe's wishes are for her offspring, and what move the fawn will make next. (JE Baker)

But the shy fawn will never trust humans, it can not be domesticated. No one will touch it, neither physically nor spiritually. Our longing for reconciliation with nature is all in vain. And the viewer, after having followed the fawns trail in the gallery space, is again ruthlessly exposed to the city, the urban "wood" with its dangers and, hopefully, a warm and secure place for everyone.

JE BAKER received her BFA and her Bachelor of Arts - Psychology from Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, in 2007. In 2007 she was awarded with the Peggy Condon Travel Award. She published 'Cheekey - Apocalypse Literary Arts Coalition' in 2007. Since 2006 she had several group and solo exhibitions in Chicago. It is her second exhibition at Gallery UNO: In 2008 ARTexhibitionLink.com's gallery space showed "Dialogue" together with artist Barbara Wakefield.

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